SANPARKS Frontier Region scoops awards

Karoo National Park outside Beaufort West can proudly boast with having the Best Performing Rest Camp within South African National Parks.

They received the recognition at the 11th annual Kudu Awards ceremony in Pretoria on Friday evening (16 October 2015). SANParks, supported by First National Bank and Total South Africa, recognises deserving individuals, departments and parks at the Kudu Awards annually through awarding them with Chief Executive Awards. It is awarded based on performance during the previous financial year – 2014/15.

Two staff members from Addo Elephant National Park were also rewarded for their hard work and dedication. Receptionist Lee-Marque Jansen received the award for Best Customer Service, while Marine Senior Section Ranger, Roget Fox, walked away with the award for Excellent Performance in the Workplace.

Best Performing Rest Camp – Karoo National Park:

Brian van der Westhuizen

This award was bestowed on Karoo National Park for excellence in a number of areas – from its entrance gate, to its day visitor picnic site and pool area (Bulkraal), rest camp as well as reception area.

A number of factors led to the camp’s success, namely: Visitor numbers increased by 9.4%. Chalet occupancy saw an increase of 7.8% while camping occupancy increased by 7.5%. There was also an increase in game drive sales of a staggering 27.9%. The Park’s customer satisfaction index was better than in the previous year and it also posted an increase in revenue. In June last year the Park received a Certificate of Excellence from the international travel site, TripAdvisor. This award was based on the quality of reviews and opinions earned on TravelAdvisor over the past year and signified that the Park had consistently earned outstanding feedback from TripAdvisor travellers who have visited this beautiful part of the Karoo. The rest camp is well-known to visitors travelling between Gauteng and the Western Cape who overnight here regularly along the route. It is also a firm favourite with South Africans and international visitors alike for its undeniable beauty and tranquillity.

The entire team’s recipe of friendly faces, warm welcomes and informal yet informative conversation may also have contributed to them receiving the award. The Park’s staff members are known to be efficient in whatever they do, garnering many compliments from guests along the way.

Best Customer Service – Lee-Marque Jansen:

Lee-Marque Jansen

Based at Addo Elephant National Park’s Main Camp, Receptionist Lee-Marque Jansen is the subject of many compliments received from guests for his friendliness, helpfulness and willingness to assist whomever and wherever he can. Although he’s a newcomer to Addo (having only started there in May last year) he certainly has made his presence known and felt as he welcomes and interacts with guests upon arrival in the Park.

Excellent Performance In The Workplace – Roget Fox:

Addo’s Marine Senior Section Ranger, Roget Fox, leads from the front and sets a good example for his dedicated team of marine rangers to follow. He is not bound to the Park’s marine section in Algoa Bay, but is also hands-on on the terrestrial side in the fields of anti-poaching and law enforcement. Roget also gladly assists outside the Park’s boundaries, and works closely not only with colleagues from other national parks, but also with conservation officials from provincial and private parks.

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